| URL | http://wattpad.com |
|---|---|
| Type of site | Cell phone e-book |
| Registration | Free |
| Launched | October 2006 |
| Revenue | Advertisements |
| Current status | Online |
Wattpad is an e-book reading software for mobile phones. Unlike dedicated ebook reading devices, Wattpad requires no special hardware[1]. Instead, it makes use of common mobile phones for the download, storage and display of ebook material. The content is user-generated, allowing anyone to contribute to the library[2].
Since its launch in October 2006, the mobile application has been downloaded over 3 million times [3]. In February 2007, Wattpad announced the addition of over 17,000 eBooks from Project Gutenberg making them available to cellphone users[4]. In March 2009, an iPhone version was released, competing with ebook readers such as the Amazon Kindle for iPhone[5]. This was followed by the launch on BlackBerry App World in April 2009 and Google Android in June 2009, making Wattpad the only ebook reader to support all major mobile phone platforms[6].
Wattpad is criticized for hosting copyrighted material on their site, as the content uploaded is user generated and subject to safe harbor rules under the OCILLA[7] It has since announced several initiatives to combat piracy, including the "Authors In Charge" program which allows writers to identify and directly remove infringing content from the site [8].
The most frequently voted stories appear on the "Hot List". The authors of those stories are unofficially referred to as "wattpad celebrities" because of their high status among the wattpad users. Such wattpad celebrities include Feverseries, Just-Krissy, DamN623, saimcheeda, makemebreakme555 and dreamerangelina
Wattpad also has occasional contests that are open to anyone who has a wattpad account. Prizes vary, as do deadlines and topics.
References
- ^ Tanner, John (2007-11-20). Telecom Asia. http://www.telecomasia.net/article.php?id_cat3=0&id_article=6381.
- ^ Kohl, Jesse (2007-01-19). "Handheld story-sharing the next user-gen trend?". Media in Canada. http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20070119/wattpad.html.
- ^ "Wattpad heralds 3.1m ebook downloads". http://www.pr.com/press-release/155548.
- ^ "Wattpad Gutenberg Press Release". http://www.wattpad.com/press?pr=022107.
- ^ Sande, Steven (2009-03-16). "ebook reader smackdown: Kindle 2 vs. iPhone". The Unofficial Apple Weblog. http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/16/tuaw-ebook-reader-smackdown-kindle-2-vs-iphone/.
- ^ Biba, Paul (2009-06-29). "Wattpad coming to Android and Nokia Ovi". TeleRead. http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/29/wattpad-coming-to-android-and-the-nokia-ovi-store/.
- ^ Ray, Bill (2009-03-09). "Wattpad furnishes iPhone with bootleg books for bupkes". The Register. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/09/wattpad_iphone/.
- ^ "Wattpad Launches Innovative "Authors In Charge Program" For Its Ebook Community". http://www.phonecontent.com/bm/news/wattpad-launches-innovative-authors-in-charge-prog.shtml.
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